People who have dealt with a leaking air conditioner (AC) will understand how annoying it could be. Your property will be damaged and comfort will be disrupted when water drips from your AC. A common question asked by homeowners is: Does a chemical wash fix a leaking air conditioning unit? Let’s explore the root causes of AC leaks and discover the effectiveness of chemical washes as a solution to this problem.
Common Causes of a Leaking Aircon
Before finding the relationship between aircon leaking and chemical washing, let’s find out the causes of aircon water leakage.
Clogged Drain Line
A clogged drain line is the primary cause behind air conditioner leaks. The drain pipe accumulates dust, dirt, and algae over time. These substances block the proper water flow of the system. When water cannot flow through the drain line properly, it causes leaks.
Dirty Air Filter
The evaporator coil freezes when airflow gets restricted due to a dirty or clogged air filter. Excess moisture will overflow from the drain pan and create leaks once the coil melts.
Damaged or Rusted Drain Pan
The drain pan serves as a reservoir for condensation that drips off the evaporator coil. A damaged or rusted drain pan fails to retain water and causes leaks.
Low Refrigerant Levels
The evaporator coil may freeze when refrigerant levels drop. The water leaking can happen similar way as it happens due to a dirty air filter. Once the coil melts and gives away the excess water, it causes the unit to leak.
Improper Installation
Improper installation can sometimes cause an AC unit to leak. Improper leveling of the unit or drainage system setup errors may cause water to build up inside the system. It can cause leaks as well.
What is a Chemical Wash?
A chemical wash is the process of thorough cleaning technique of air conditioners using suitable chemicals. The chemical wash process requires expert technicians to open the AC system and clean its parts with proper cleaning solutions. The purpose of this process is to eliminate stubborn dirt and dust that build up with consistent operations.
Here’s what a chemical wash typically involves:
- Cleaning the evaporator coil and condenser coil
- Flushing out the drain line
- Washing the filters and fan blades
- Removing and cleaning the drain pan
- Reassembling the unit and carrying out a function test.
Chemical wash differs from standard maintenance cleaning because of the use of powerful chemicals. These chemicals will dissolve grime that regular cleaning methods can’t remove.
Can a Chemical Wash Fix a Leaking Aircon?
Chemical washes can address specific causes of aircon leaks but they cannot solve every problem. In this section, we’ll discuss the problems that a chemical wash can address.
Clogged Drain Line
A chemical wash solution successfully clears out clogged drain lines which is a major cause of aircon leaks. The chemical solution breaks down the dirt and algae accumulation inside the drainpipe to restore free water flow.
Dirty Air Filter
The chemical wash process is not directly associated with filter cleaning. However, technicians usually clean the filter during the process. Thus, after chemical washing, your aircon filters will be clean. Cleaning the filter and other components during a chemical wash can help stop leaks if the leak is caused by a dirty filter.
Damaged or Rusted Drain Pan
Chemical wash can not fix the damaged rusted drain pan. If the leaking is caused by a damaged drain pan, then it must be replaced. Simply chemical washing will not work in this case.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Leaks from insufficient refrigerant levels cannot be fixed with a chemical wash. However, a technician must evaluate refrigerant levels and locate system leaks before refilling the refrigerant.
Improper Installation
Chemical washing cannot resolve installation-related issues. Thus, you must re-install the unit to get rid of water leaks. A qualified technician must reinstall or adjust the unit in this scenario.
When Should You Consider a Chemical Wash?
Before applying chemical wash to solve your aircon leaking problem, you need to find the underlying cause of the leak first. A chemical wash can restore your air conditioner if leaks are caused by a clogged drain line and dirty components.
Your AC may require a chemical wash if you notice these particular indicators:
- Water leaking from the unit
- Poor cooling performance
- Strange smells or noises from the AC
- Increased energy bills
- Dust and dirt accumulation on the unit
Conclusion
A chemical wash can address a few aircon leaking causes such as blocked drain lines or accumulated dirt. However, it’s not the only fix for aircon water leaks. Different solutions are necessary for addressing different problems such as damaged drain pans or low refrigerant levels. Consulting a professional technician is your best option when you cannot identify what causes your AC to leak. The technician will determine the root cause of the problem and advise whether to use chemical washing or another repair method.
